Liam - Week 23

Date/Week: June 1st; week 23 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time seeing his dad in his Pipe Band Uniform in a parade; Has tried apple, carrot, broccoli, butternut squash, watermelon and mango through Baby Led Weaning (BLW); Really bad teething periods; he has played around with his first musical instrument (a keyboard).

Developmental Progress: When on the floor or pack-n-play will roll to get where he needs to go; if you put his pacifier in front of him, he will do whatever it takes to get to it, grab it and put it into his mouth; he sits up at the table to eat with us; he has pretty lengthy conversations with us, particularly after he has eaten.

Energy level: One day I am my old self and the next day I need to climb in bed at 9pm. 

Exercise: Lots of dancing. My abs have been hurting and my posture (as bad as it already is) is tough to maintain when I am weary. I'd love to do some water aerobics now that the weather is getting better (not hot on the cost to do so...)

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm getting back on track with highland dancing but I would like to focus on some school work. I do feel that I need to finish this dissertation - but I also feel that I need to take this time to change it to make it interesting for me. I need to keep it focused and with no more than is necessary - there are other books in me to write hundreds of pages about...

What I am looking forward to: Is it bad to be looking forward to September already??? My summer work schedule is brutal, particularly with Aidan going to Canada in August!

Liam - Week 22

Date/Week: May 25th; week 22 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time seeing his dad in his Regiment Uniform in a parade; Frist Bermuda Day 

Developmental Progress: He is getting better sitting up on his own; he plays with his pacifier by taking it out and putting it back into his mouth; He's getting better at self-soothing himself back to sleep in his crib or pack-n-play; he touches our faces a lot (Aidan loves it)

Energy level: I'm a bit run down but I am still trying to get back onto the correct time zone.

Exercise: Now that I'm back home, I need to start my spring/summer workout plan since my diet is back in place.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am very happy that London was good. I was nervous that London wouldn't be baby-friendly but thankfully it was ok. That means we can still enjoy a few days in London when we go in that direction for vacation. Now that we've accomplished vacation #1, I am now looking forward to summer #1 with Liam going for his first swim in the ocean!

What I am looking forward to: My birthday - I think I might take the day off and go to the spa!

Saturday, May 21st

Saturday morning we had a bit of a lie in and then met Josh Paulos and went to lunch. We went to lunch in China Town and had a very nice meal including chicken, beef and mixed vegetables done up in various ways, with egg fried rice. Next we walked to Covent Garden and then off to Oxford St. We walked along Old Bond St, with all of the really pricey shops.  We also found what we thought was a disused underground station between Bond St & Marble Arch. However, I think that it might have been a works depot based on the equipment that appeared to be there. We went back to the hotel to allow Liam to rest up for a while (and to watch Doctor Who…)  and then had a very nice meal at a Prezzo in Victoria Station.

Friday, May 20th

We met up with Roz & Alan in the morning and headed off to Hampton Court Palace on the train. Marisa was excited about the visit since she’s been trying to get there for about 10 years.  It only took about 35 minutes from Waterloo...  J

We visited the kitchens, King Henry VIII, George II, Mary II, William III apartments and the Royal Chapel. It was interesting to see the different styles of decoration over the centuries. We then went to the gardens and walked through the maze. We also found the rose garden.

That evening we had dinner at the Terrace at Le Meridien, which was a large conservatory style restaurant. The 
food was very good, but the service was quite poor, which was unfortunate.

Thursday, May 19th

We had breakfast, finished our last bit of packing and loaded up the car. We then went south to Walmer Castle and visited there. It was quite a place, being the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. It is made up of a series of ring forts piled on top of each other like a stack of cupcakes. Marisa loved the gardens – particularly the Queen Mother’s Garden. 

From here we drove into London along the A2, through Lewisham and Lambeth. I dropped off Marisa & Liam at the Grosvenor and then took the car back. At one point I made a wrong turning and ended up in a Metropolitan Police secure car park, much to the surprise of a motorcycle cop. After returning the car, I went back to the hotel. After going out to pick up our theatre tickets for the night (and Marisa saw David Tennant leaving the theatre), we then met Natalie Pereech, who was babysitting for us, and we went off and had dinner at the Angus Steak House and then off to see “Much Ado about Nothing” with Catherine Tate & David Tennant. It was very good, set in the mid 1980s on an Island. I found it a bit difficult to follow the story, which would have been easier had I known the play, but I enjoyed it. Marisa knew the play and had a favorite version (Kenneth Branagh’s  version). She was therefore able to say that she thoroughly enjoyed the production.

Wednesday, May 18th

On Wednesday morning, we made an expedition to pick strawberries. As is customary, we ate just about as many as we bagged. The day was a bit grey and we had some “Scotch Mist” which looked like it would spoil our time, but it didn’t.  We then wandered around Canterbury and had lunch at a pub near the Cathedral entrance. That evening, Marisa made ravioli and we tried to finish up as many leftovers as possible. We also had a scone and another sweet that we purchased in Canterbury.

Liam - Week 21

Date/Week: May 18th; week 21 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 16 lbs 8 oz

Milestones: First airplane ride. First family vacation. First family bathroom experience. First train and first underground rides. 

Developmental Progress: He has gotten more vocal since Monday. He reacts when classical music is played with focused concentration on he person playing the music or by calming down when it is on the radio. His laugh is getting longer. He wants to stand up most of the time when you have him in his arms. He is ready for food as he tries to participate during our dinner. 

Energy level: I'm getting back to my old self slowly. 

Exercise: Lots of walking while on vacation and boy have I felt it. Still a long way to go.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am overjoyed that our vacation has gone well. It was different but still has had elements of our usual trips together. So much to look forward to in future vacations. And I love our Stokke... it kicks butt in Canterbury!

What I am looking forward to: I want to spend some time in my garden. And I can't wait to take Liam to the beach in coming weeks.